Freedom From Choice
Written: Sep 28 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Learn a lot about people
Cons: Annoying, Time Consuming
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| BadgerFan's Full Review: University of Wisconsin-Madison |
I currently attend UW-Madison, a wonderful University with a great campus. I am convinced that UW has the most liberal campus in the United States. This is one of the few things that bothers me about UW. Right in the middle of campus we have Memorial Union and State Street, a shopping district that runs all the way up to the capital. It is populated mostly by stores that are owner run instead of chain owned. It is truly a unique area.
The problem with UW occurs when I go down to the State Street area. I cannot walk through the area without getting bombarded by some sort of activism. Sometimes I just would like to make it to the bookstore or Walgreens. I do not have the time to: sign up for AIDS WALK, sign a petition to end global warming (like my signature will do anything), sign up to help end Isreali occupation in Palestine, Protest the WTO, or sweatshops for that matter. These are just a few of the local causes that bombard you for your time. There are also numerous corner preachers who stand on the various platforms around State Street and talk about how much God loves me.
One of the greatest American freedoms is freedom of choice. I would like to make the choice of not choosing anything, so that I could go about my business like normal. Another key point, is that some of these "Do-gooders" are terribly misinformed, or purposely distort their message. Take for instance the sweatshop demonstrators. They call for an end to all sweatshops world wide. Now this is not true in every case, but some sweatshop workers are better off than the general public in their area. In my sociology class, my professor talked about interviewing a Honduran sweatshop laborer. She was thrilled to be working in a sweatshop because she received child care, basic medical care, and a wage. Despite that this wage is extremely meager by United States measures, it put her far ahead than her neighbors in the quality of life that she was enjoying.
I am not trying to come across as some heartless person who doesn't care about anyone else. My point is that I will pick the organizations and causes that I want to support. I don't need someone else forcing their beliefs and causes on me. That is the last thing that will make me consider joining their organization.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID: BadgerFan
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Member: Chad
Location: Madison Wisc
Reviews written: 7
Trusted by: 0 members
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